Nationwide appeal after prisoner escapes – Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk Police are making a nationwide appeal for information after a serving prisoner escaped after prison guards were threatened at gunpoint in an incident at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds in the county last night, Wednesday 25 January.

Officers received 999 calls around 6.50pm to reports that prison staff had been threatened by a man with a gun as they arrived at the Accident & Emergency department at the hospital with a prisoner they were transporting for treatment.

The staff were forced to release the prisoner – 26-year-old Andrew Farndon, who was serving an indefinite prison sentence, with a minimum of three years before being considered for parole, after being sentenced at Coventry Crown Court in 2007 for GBH with intent, dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

No one was hurt in the incident

Police immediately began a search for the two men.

Today, Thursday 26 January, the hunt continues for Farndon, who is believed to have a wound to his shoulder following the incident at HMP Highpoint that he was being taken to hospital for treatment for, and the man with the gun, described as white, in his mid 40s, around 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build, possibly with a Scottish accent.

It’s now thought likely that the pair may have left Suffolk and, although police are still carrying out local enquiries in case they are still in the county, officers are also liaising with other forces across the country to try to locate them.

Numerous enquiries have been made overnight, and police have taken calls from members of the public giving information which may help the investigation, however officers are continuing to appeal for any sightings.

Officers are asking anyone with information about where Farndon is now to call Suffolk Police, or their nearest police station, as soon as possible – using 999 if necessary for sightings or 101 to pass on information.

Police are continuing to advise members of the public not to approach either of the men but to call officers straight away.